New Zealand await play-off winner in quest for first finals for 28 years

• All Whites to meet either Bahrain or Saudi Arabia over two legs
• Ryan Nelsen and Chris Killen give Kiwis experience

Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen, here tackling Diomansy Kamara of Fulham, is the rock of New Zealand's defence as they aim to secure a place in the finals for only the second time. Photograph: Tony O'Brien/Action Images

New Zealand comfortably won the Oceania qualifying group and will contest a two-legged play‑off against the victors of the Bahrain-Saudi Arabia Asian play‑off, on 10 October and 14 November. The "All Whites" are 180 minutes away from a first World Cup finals appearance since 1982. Their coach, Ricki Herbert, was a player then and, though they lost all three games, his performances attracted the attention of Wolves, with whom he had a short spell before returning home. The current team has slightly more overseas experience, with the captain, Ryan Nelsen, as dependable for Blackburn as he is for his country, and their top scorer, Chris Killen, intermittently impressing at Celtic.